Automobile-horn.



R. H. MANSON.

AUTOMOBILE HORN.

APPucAnoN H LED SEPLZQ, 1913.

1,216,828.l 'Patentemhzqmm u mien/tof A Pruey UNITED s'rAaEs Nrariniafrcarica.

RAY H. MANSON, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE GARFORD MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, 0F ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO.

AUTOMOBILE-HORN. i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

Application iled September 29, l1913. Serial No. 792,257.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I RAY H. MANsoN, a

a full, clear, and eXact description of my invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates to signaling devices, generally known as automobilehorns for useupon automobiles, Imotor cycles, motor boats, etc., or, infact, in any position where such a signallng device is desired.

.My invention relates particularly to electric automobile horns, and inthe embodiment illustrated, I have shown what is known as a vibratorhorn.

One ofthe objects of my invention is to increase the sound produced byhorns of the vibrator type. One of the ways of accomlishing this is toincrease the size or numger of the'ma'gnets and reduce the friction ofthe part's, so as to devote the entire or almost the entire energy ofthe magnet to produce noise.

Other objects of my invention and the invention itself will perhaps bebetter understood from the description of the particular embodimentsillustrated.

Figure 1 is a section through an embodiment of my invention, showingcertain of the parts in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a rear end view of the modification shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section through a secnd embodiment, showing certain Aof theparts in elevation.

is clamped to the outer edges of the iange' 5 by some-suitable means,such as screws 9 which extend through a casing front 10, extended overthe face of the diaphragm. This casing front is provided with an opening11 and a flange 12 around the opening. A resonator 13 may be fitted inthis flange and the opening 11 is provided for the egress of sound wavesfrom the diaphragm. The diaphragm may be provided with an anvil 14 for apurpose to be described.

Suitable means are provided for furnishingpmotor power to operate thediaphragm, `which is here shown as electromagnetic means 15. In the formillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown four electromagnets forperforming these functions, all mounted within the frame, and adapted toexert influence uponthe armature 16, which may -be mounted in anysuitable position and which is here shown as mounted to the rear of.-the magnets. and supported from the frame piece through a spring 18which is connected at one end to the frame piece by any suitable means,such as a screw 19, and which is connected to the center of the armatureby any suitable means, such as a screw 20.

A switch is provided for controlling the circuit of the electromagneticmeans, here illustrated at 25 and consisting of a contact 26 supportedfrom a spring 27 'which is connected to the frame. The spring 27 is sostressed as to :follow movements of the armature, normally resting atone end 29 against a stud 30 on the armature. The stud 30 is best madeof insulating material. A second contact Slof the switch 25 is supportedfrom an adjustable screw 32, `which may be carried by a bridge 33connected to the frame piece in any suitable manner, such as by screws34 and 35.

I am aware that previous efforts have been made to increase theefficiency of the horn by employing more than two magnets, which is thecustom in most horns. I am also aware that means have been provided forfurnishing the diaphragm striker with slidable bearings, which `furnishconsiderable frictional resistance? tothe operation, especially afterthe horn has been in use for some time, when dirt and dust collect in'these bea-rings. The increased loudness resulting from the use of thefour magnets or from increasing the size and strength of the two magnetsis much reduced` owing to this frictional resistance. On the other hand,with a strong magnetic field, a striker free at one end is apt to bevibrated sidewisc when forcibly attracted by a strong magnetic field,striking the diaphragm at an angle and consequently a weakened blow.

In my invention I have provided means for properly directing the strikerto the diaphragm and eliminating all frictional resistance. I alsoarrange the parts so that the resultant of the attractions upon thearmature passes through the striker.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the magnets 15 is placed sothat it attracts one of the corners of the armature 16, so that theresultant of the attractions passes through the center of the armature,which is attached to one end of the spring 18. .The spring 18 is bestmade as long as possible,

, so that for the short arcs inwvhich the armature moves it is movingfor all practical purposes in a straight line. The striker 40 is adaptedto operate the diaphragm when the armatureis vibrated. In the form shownin Fig. 1 this member is connected preferably to the center of thearmature 16. The end adjacent the diaphragm instead of belng free oroperated in bearings, as has been the case in previous horns of thischaracter, is connected toa member 41, here illustrated as a springsupported in any suitable manner from the frame and here shown asconnected thereto by screws 42. The other end of the member 41 isconnected, as shown, at 43 to the striker 40. The member 4l is best madeas long as possible, so that iior the small arcs in which the end 43 ofthis member moves, such arcs may be considered a straight line.

When the magnets are energized, each one acts upon a corner kof thearmature 16, pulling the armature straight down toward the diaphragm andmoving it so that it will be parallel to the diaphragm throughout itsmovement, the spring 18 being connected to the center, as shown. The endof the striker next the diaphragm cannot vibrate, being directed in astraight line to the diaphragm by the member 41, which accomplishes thispurpose without exerting any frictional re-. sistance. The spring 41 maybe made weak, so that no resistance at all will be exerted against theefforts of the magnets, thus serving the directing function withoutoffering any resistance whatsoever to the magnets.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 I have illustrated a horn showingthe frame piece at 100, which is provided with a, iiange 101 around` theedge. The diaphragm 102 is clamped between the flange 101 and the casingfront 103, which is provided with an opening 104 for the egress of soundwaves.y

The edges of this opening are preferably turned up to form a flangeshown at 105 to which a resonator 106 may be connected. The means forfurnishing motor power to o erate the diaphragm, here consisting of eectromagnets 107, may be connected to the bottom 108 of the member 100.The bottom 108 is provided with an opening 109 through which a rod 110extends, being associated with the armature 111 and here shown asconnected thereto. The armature 111 may be supported from the framepiece in any suitable manner, such as by a bracket 112 and a spring 113.T-he other end of the member 110 may be connected by a spring 112 to theframe through any suitable member such as a screw 113 and a support 114.A controlling switch is shown at 115. In this form the armature strikes'the diaphragm after its release by the magnet, the

strikes a diaphragm 121 when the armature is vibrated.

I have shown these embodiments of my invention for the purpose ofillustrating the invention and' not,that I wish to be limited to theform and details shown, as I contemplate numerous and extensivedepartures therefrom.

1. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a sound producingdiaphragm supported from the frame, electromagnets for supplying energyto operate the diaphragm, an armature for said magnets, a springconnecting (the armature vto the frame, means to attach the armature tothe spring applied at the center of the armature an electric switchcontrolling the circuit of the magnets governed by the armature, ananvil on the diaphragm, a stem connected at one end to the center of thearmature for transmitting the motion of the armature to the diaphragmand vibrating the same, and a spring "supported vfrom the frameconnected at one end to the other end of the stem for directing thesame.

2. In an automobile horn, the combination of a sonorous diaphragm, aframe, a member adapted to be reciprocated to strike the diaphragm tocause it to sound signals, an armature for reciprocating said member towhich the member is connected at one end, a leaf spring connected at oneend to the other end of the reciprocating member, said leaf spring beingconnected at its other end to the frame and adapted to direct thereciprocating member when the same is reciprocated, a spring forconnecting the armature to the frame connected to the center of thearmature, four electromagnets for operating the armature, one acting oneach corner of the armature when said magnets are energized and a switchcontrolling the circuit of the magnets governed by the armature.

In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a diaphragm chamberformed in said frame, a sonorous diaphragm in said frame and anelectromagnet chamber in said to said armature through which thearmature operates the diaphragm, a pair of'leaf springs connected to theframe, one of said springs being in the magnet chamber and the other ofsaid springs being in the diaphragm chamber, and a switch havingcontactsin the circuit of the magnet controlled by the armature.

4. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a diaphragmchamber formed in said frame, a sonorous diaphragm in said frame, amagnet lchamber formed in thev frame, a magnet insaid chamber, an arma-vture controlled by said magnet for actuating the diaphragm, a leafspring in themagnet chamber supported from the frame andconnected to thearmature, a second leaf spring in the diaphragm chamber, a rodconnecting said' second spring to the armature and a switch havingcontacts in the circuit of the magnet controlled by said magnet.

5. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a pair of chambersformed in said frame, a sonorous diaphragm mounted in one of saidchambers, a magnet in said frame, a switch for said magnet in the otherv of said chambers controlled by said magnet, fa pair of leaf springssupported from the frame, one of said leaf springs being in each of saidchambers, an armature for causing v the actuation of the diaphragmcontrolled by said magnet and connected to one of said springs and astem connecting the other ofV said springs to said armature.

6. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a pair of chambersformed in said frame, a'sonorous diaphragm in one of saidchambers, amagnet in' saidfframe, a switch in said frame having contacts in the4circuit of the magnet controlled by said magnet, an armature for saidmagnet for causing the actuation of the diaphragm, a pair ofleafsprings, one in each of said chambers connected to the frame, anarmature carried by one of said springs and a stem connecting the otherof said springs to the armature.

In Witness whereof, I have aixed my signature in the presence of twowitnesses this 27th day of Sept., 1913.

RAY` I-I. MANSON.

Witnesses:-

F. O. RICHEY, D. V. GLovER.

